High mortality rates, mainly due to low-quality seed, are driving up prices for Malaysian shrimp, according to Benjamin Saw, the director of Malaysian shrimp-farming firm Arus Nagamas.
“Shrimp prices in Malaysia are now at the highest they have ever been,” Saw told SeafoodSource. “There is a big shortage of tiger prawns in Malaysia now driving prices up.”
Saw told SeafoodSource that farmgate prices are averaging MYR 32 (USD 7.00, EUR 6.40) per kilogram for 40 pieces and up to MYR 40 (USD 8.80, EUR 8.00) per kilogram for larger prawns, such as in 15-piece packages.
“Some local harvesters are paying MYR 38 (USD 8.30, EUR 7.60) per kilogram for live harvesting to distribute to local restaurants,” Saw said.
He attributed the increased prices to …
